Here are the first two parts of this series: Part 1 and Part 2
The next post will be early next week.
KY Post February 6, 1915
The next post will be early next week.
KY Post February 6, 1915
Two Held as Witnesses in Murder Case
Newport Police Place Statutory Charge Against Ella Owens and Owen McLaughlin, of Newport., Will Testify
Believe Pair Can Throw Interesting Light on Life of Jas. Carr, Found Murdered in Shanty in Newport
Investigations being carried on by the Newport Police Department in the case of James P. Carr, 71, a veteran of the Civil War, who was found murdered in his bed in his shanty at the foot of Southgate-st., Newport, Friday morning, have resulted in the holding of Ella Owens, 18 , and Owen McClaughlin as witnesses.
Held as Witnesses
After a search yesterday Detectives Burnsides and Howe arrested the two and placed a statutory charge against each. They are also being held as witnesses for the inquest as it is thought by the police both will be enabled to offer some information concerning the life of Carr, the murdered man.
When arrested yesterday, McLaughlin and Ella Owens denied knowing anything about the murder. Both told their story and offered alibis, claiming that they could give an account of every place they had been on the night of the murder.
Stories Conflict
Their stories were taken separately.
The woman told Lieut. Lieberth and the detectives that she left her home, on Patterson-st.,, about 7 o’clock and went to Fifth and Isabella sts., that here she and McLaughlin stayed for several hours, the police say.
When quizzed by the police, McLaughlin claimed that they did not leave the Owen woman’s home on Patterson-st., until 9 o’clock, the police say.
Some one wrong
When confronted by the police with these conflicting stories, each claimed that the other was mistaken.
Was to Move
Further investigation on the part of the police brought forth that the Owens woman had hired a boy to remove a barrel of coal from the Patterson-st., premises to 207 West Third-st., where it is claimed she intended moving. The boy told police that she hired him after 11 o’clock Thursday night.
A Relative
Ella Owens Saturday morning claimed that she was a distant relative of the murdered man, and admitted visiting his shanty often. She stated that she kept house of him, cleaning his house and sometimes cooking his meals.
The woman absolutely denies visiting the house late Thursday night.
Hat Disclosed
When the hut was thoroughly searched, a hat and other woman’s apparel were disclosed.
Two Men Connected
Statements offered by a negro woman giving her name as Bassett, and who claims that she lives in the vicinity of Carr’s shack, added to the mystery of the case, (illegible), in all probability will make her one of the most important witnesses in the case.
She claims that about midnight Thursday two men knocked at her door. She stated that she was frightened at being awakened at that time of night and, instead of opening the door, she talked to them through the door. That is the reason given by her for not being able to furnish a description.
She stated that in the conversation which passed through the door, she concluded that the two men were looking for the Owen woman.
After securing this information they asked where Carr lived and she told them.
She states that shortly afterward she heard a crash, followed by a deep silence. Hearing no more, she went to sleep.
Was Hermit
From information secured, Carr has lived the life of a hermit since the death of his wife some 15 years ago, with the exception of an occasional visit from Ellen Owens.
Shortly after his wife died he built his meager hovel on the very banks where the Licking and Ohio River meet. Here he has lived and provided for himself and many others by the money he made from rags and other junk he picked from nearby dumps.
Being a veteran of the Civil War, having served under Grant, he also received a pension. The police and neighbors claim that he received $54 pension money Thursday and it is said that robbery was the motive of the murder, as not one cent was found on the person of the old man when his body was discovered.
Was Kind
Neighbors living about Patterson and Southgate-sts claim that the old man was extremely kind-hearted and that even though his dwelling was poor and his living cheap, he was always lending aid to the needy people living in that section.
It is said that every three months he received $54 pension and that with this he bought clothing and other trinkets for children and women.
Coroner Digby is arranging to hold an inquest in a few days. Numerous witnesses will be placed on the stand at this inquest.
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